U.S. patent application number 14/871811 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-21 for light hanger.
This patent application is currently assigned to IP Holdings, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is IP Holdings, LLC. Invention is credited to Doug Hargreaves, Steven Ortega.
Application Number | 20160014979 14/871811 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46600010 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160014979 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hargreaves; Doug ; et
al. |
January 21, 2016 |
LIGHT HANGER
Abstract
A modular portable light hanger that can be quickly and easily
assembled and disassembled to a tray stand by one person without
using any tools or hardware, each corner of the stand preferably
interconnecting with a light hanger corner pole, and the four
corner poles interconnecting with perimeter poles forming a
substantially rectangular or square perimeter across which
cross-wise equipment/light hanger poles are toolessly attached,
providing cross members over the tray stand growing area from which
equipment such as light fixtures, air moving fans, ducting, etc.
may by suspended.
Inventors: |
Hargreaves; Doug;
(Vancouver, WA) ; Ortega; Steven; (Discovery Bay,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
IP Holdings, LLC |
Vancouver |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
IP Holdings, LLC
Vancouver
WA
|
Family ID: |
46600010 |
Appl. No.: |
14/871811 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14750829 |
Jun 25, 2015 |
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14871811 |
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14269619 |
May 5, 2014 |
9084478 |
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14750829 |
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13136657 |
Aug 8, 2011 |
8714498 |
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14269619 |
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61462760 |
Feb 8, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/370 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 403/1624 20150115;
F16B 12/40 20130101; A01G 9/20 20130101; A47B 2230/16 20130101;
Y10T 29/49828 20150115; F16B 12/40 20130101; A47B 87/02 20130101;
F16B 12/52 20130101; F16B 7/048 20130101; Y10T 29/49895 20150115;
A47B 13/02 20130101; A47B 97/00 20130101; A47B 13/06 20130101; A47F
5/13 20130101; F16B 12/42 20130101; A47B 13/021 20130101; A47B
87/02 20130101; F16M 11/22 20130101; F16B 7/0486 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01G 9/20 20060101
A01G009/20; F16M 11/22 20060101 F16M011/22 |
Claims
1. A modular portable light hanger for use with a modular portable
tray stand, comprising: (a) four corner poles; (b) four perimeter
poles interconnectable with the top ends of said corner poles by
hand and without the need for tools or hardware; (c) at least one
equipment bearing pole extending between two of said four perimeter
poles, the equipment bearing pole interconnectable with said
perimeter poles by hand and without the need for tools or hardware;
(d) four corner adapters, each having a dowel directed downward and
insertable into an open end of a tubular receiver of a tray stand
corner joint, at least one surface extending parallel to said dowel
for engagement with an exterior surface of said tubular receiver,
and a corner pole receiver directed opposite said dowel and sized
to receive insertion of a lower end of one of said corner poles,
said corner adapters interconnectable with said corner poles by
hand and without the need for tools or hardware.
2. The light hanger of claim 1 wherein said corner poles, perimeter
poles, and at least one equipment bearing pole comprise round
tubular metal poles of the same diameter.
3. The light hanger of claim 1 wherein said poles and adapters are
repeatably interconnectable for repeatable assembly and disassembly
by hand and without the need for tools or hardware.
4. The light hanger of claim 1 wherein said dowel has a diamond
shaped cross section and is sized to snugly and rotatingly securely
insert into square tubular material used for said tubular receiver
of said tray stand corner joint.
5. The light hanger of claim 1 further comprising a tray stand
having four legs and four sides, said four legs and four sides
being interconnectable for repeatable assembly and disassembly by
hand and without the need for tools or hardware.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/750,829, filed Jun. 25, 2015, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/269,619, filed
May 5, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/136,657 filed Aug. 8, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.
8,714,498, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/462,760 filed Feb. 8, 2011.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the field of stands and light
hangers, and specifically to stands and light hangers used for
indoor gardening or aquatics that require no tools or additional
hardware when assembling or disassembling. More particularly, this
invention relates to light hanger means configured to assemble and
disassemble without tools and to be adaptable for use with tray
stands.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to knock-down portable stands,
such as used to support heavy items at level elevations, and light
hangers for suspending equipment such as lights or air handling
fans and associated ducting over a plant growing environment. The
invention aims to provide a portable stand and light hanger of
modular construction that easily assembles and disassembles without
the need for tools and without requiring fasteners or hardware of
any type.
[0004] Indoor gardeners utilize trays for starting, propagating,
and growing plants. Ebb & flow or drip system gardeners often
load a tray with plants, growing media, and water, which in
aggregate can become too heavy for the common card table or plastic
fold out table to support. Leaving the tray on the ground is not a
good option as the standard placement of the water reservoir is
directly below the tray. Having the tray elevated for easier plant
tending is further desired to make the growing process more
enjoyable for the user, and accessible for the disabled grower.
[0005] A stand used for growing plants that supports a propagation
tray must maintain the tray at a level elevation to facilitate
complete draining of water and nutrient solutions from the growing
media and tray. As the bottom of the tray must be level to the
ground in order to optimize ebb and flow gardening practice, the
stand that holds the tray must be sturdy enough to prevent the tray
from flexing or tilting, keeping the tray level and
undistorted.
[0006] Like a stand used in propagation of plants, a stand used for
fish tank support must also maintain a level elevation, and be
strong enough to hold the weight of an aquarium, full of water,
fish, and rock, with over head lights, pumps, and other components
necessary for indoor aquatic practice located either above, below,
or on the stand. As the nature of aquatics and growing plants
includes the presence of water, the stand must not only be strong
and rigid when assembled, but also resistant to water damage, and
will not fail if occasionally soaked or saturated, which makes
stands constructed of wood or wood composite materials
undesirable.
[0007] A stand that is easy to assemble and disassemble, with the
benefit of breaking it down simply to fit into a compact storage
area is greatly desired. With the disabled user in mind, the
assembly and disassembly process should be easy to understand with
no small fasteners or hardware that would be difficult to secure
with arthritis or joint pain. Ideally, no tools or hardware would
be required.
[0008] A recent answer to the `stand` problem presented has been
products similar to the "Gorilla Tray Stand" that require fixating
a plurality of small threaded fasteners to assemble or disassemble.
The structure of the stand itself holds the tray level to the
ground, is rigid, and allows for easy moving. However, the short
comings of this tray stand is the complicated assembly
instructions, difficult to fasten bolts and screws, difficult
disassembly, all requiring the use of specialized tools.
[0009] Hence, it can be seen in the indoor gardening and indoor
aquatics industry, especially for ebb and flow or drip gardening
practices, that there is a need for an improved modular stand,
capable of securing a propagation tray or fish tank such that it
remains level and elevated to the ground, provides space under the
tray or tank for a reservoir or the like, allows accessibility from
all sides, is mobile, and easily assembled and disassembled.
Further, other fields of art also benefit from a stand that is
versatile in application and robust in design as described
herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The stand and light hanger assembles easily without tools,
additional hardware, or complicated instructions. In preferred
modular embodiments, the stand has four frame rails with each
having similar construction. At each corner there is a leg that
facilitates the interlocking of the frame rails without fasteners,
each able to receive a wheel or caster on the ground end. Each
corner of the stand preferably interconnects with a light hanger
corner pole, and the four corner poles are interconnected with
perimeter poles forming a substantially rectangular or square
perimeter across which cross-wise equipment/light hanger poles are
toolessly attached, providing cross members over the tray stand
growing area from which equipment such as light fixtures, air
moving fans, ducting, etc. may by suspended. The entire stand and
light hanger disassembles by pulling apart the corner poles,
perimeter poles, and cross-wise equipment/light hanger poles,
pulling each corner pole from an adapter interconnecting the corner
pole with a corner of the tray stand, then pulling up on each side
rail and removing the legs, allowing the stand to quickly break
down.
[0011] The components are preferably long and tubular allowing for
compact storage or easy packing for travel or transport. The stand
and light hanger can support substantial weights, and with the
addition of cross supports on the stand, the loading capacities of
the stand can be significantly increased. The stand cross supports
fixate either on the top of the frame when used as a table top, or
on the bottom of the frame when used to support a fish tank or
propagation tray. When used as a propagation tray stand the device
provides 360 degree access to items supported on or within the
stand and items located below the stand. In the disclosed
embodiment described herein, the stand is of just one specific
application as a mobile plant tray stand for growing plants,
whereby the plant tray fittingly inserts from the top and rests on
the frame and within the stand, while a reservoir is located below
to facilitate ebb and flow type gardening practice. One skilled in
the art will quickly realize that many other uses and applications
are readily available for the stand, including but not in any way
limited to a quick to assemble table, fish tank stand, marketing
display, or moving dolly.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0012] These and other advantages and features of the present
invention are described herein so as to make the present invention
understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art:
[0013] 1. Versatile in application
[0014] 2. Robust in construction
[0015] 3. Preferably only eight stand components: four frame rails
and four legs; and preferably only eleven poles with four
stand-to-corner pole adapters, four perimeter pole corner
connectors, and six cross-wise equipment/light hanger pole
connector ends for the preferably three cross-wise equipment/light
hanger poles
[0016] 4. Preferably only three unique stand components: base
frame, side frame, and leg; or two unique stand components if base
and side frames are constructed each with oppositely oriented leg
dowel receivers such that each base and side frame are of identical
construction
[0017] 5. Optional stand cross bars easily attach sides for
increasing loading capacity
[0018] 6. Interlocking at the corners provides a rigid and sturdy
stand
[0019] 7. Rigidity and strength increase with added load
[0020] 8. Movable with inclusion of wheels at the bottom of each of
the four legs
[0021] 9. No tools or special equipment needed to
assemble/disassemble
[0022] 10. Simple to understand assemble/disassemble
instructions
[0023] 11. Fast assembly/disassembly
[0024] 12. Stores in compact spaces when disassembled
[0025] 13. Easily transportable when disassembled
[0026] 14. No hardware
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0027] Elements in the figures have not necessarily been portrayed
to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve
understanding of these various elements of just one embodiment of
the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common
and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in
order to provide a clear view of the invention, thus the drawings
are generalized in form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
Only one embodiment of the stand and light hanger is shown in the
FIGS. 1-7 and one embodiment of the light hanger is shown in the
FIGS. 9-13, however, many other embodiments are readily available
by simply modifying the length and shape of the sides and poles to
form different frame perimeters of squares or rectangle frames for
receiving flat table tops, rectangular or square bottomed
aquariums, tool boxes, or essentially anything having a four sided
bottom, and having a light hanger with different proportional
height or number of cross-wise equipment/light hanger poles. The
depth of the stand's frame may be increased or decreased without
changing the inventive features for applications requiring a deeper
inset of the item to be supported. Other applications for the stand
include moving dolly's or mobile display stands commonly used at
conventions or marketing shows. The compact storage and easy
assembly/disassembly creates versatility in functional use, while
the rigid interlocking strength and wheeled mobility creates almost
limitless relevance as an appliance in the home, garage, garden, or
convention center.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
modular tray stand as disassembled in an exploded view.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the side frame shown of FIG.
1.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base frame shown of FIG.
1.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled embodiment
shown in FIG. 1 as exploded.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a side view of the side frame shown of FIGS. 1, 2
and 4.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a side view of the base frame shown of FIGS. 1, 3
and 4.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cross support shown of
FIGS. 1 and 4.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the leg shown in FIGS. 1 and
4 pre-fabrication.
[0036] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a modular
portable light hanger as disassembled in an exploded view.
[0037] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hanger-to-tray stand
corner transition, in one embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a hanger-to-tray stand corner
transition, in one embodiment.
[0039] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a modular portable light
hanger as assembled and combined with a modular tray stand,
according to various embodiments.
[0040] FIG. 13 is a perspective partial view of a hanger-to-tray
stand corner transition as combined with a light hanger corner pole
and perimeter members and leg of a tray stand, according to various
embodiments.
[0041] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a tray stand leg as
disassembled in an exploded view, according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0042] In the following discussion that addresses one embodiment of
the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying
figures that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of
illustration, one specific embodiment in which the invention may be
practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
realized and utilized with changes made without departing from the
scope of the present invention. Various inventive features are
described below that can each be used independently of one another
or in combination with other features.
[0043] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the
modular tray stand as disassembled in an exploded view. The
preferred embodiment is constructed primarily of square tubing, but
could be constructed from sheet metal, round tubing, cast aluminum
or injection molded in plastic and depending on the application,
would benefit from combinations of the above materials in the
construction of the stand.
[0044] The frame perimeter 6 is defined by the top surfaces of the
first base frame 30A, second base frame 30B, a first side frame
40A, and second side frame 40B. The frame perimeter 6 is the
surface on or in which the supported item may rest. For the
application as a plant tray stand, the plant tray would insert
within the frame perimeter 6, and rest upon the top of the frame
perimeter 6. For heavier support applications, cross supports 10
are added to increase rigidity to the stand 1, while also providing
additional support under the item to be supported, in this
embodiment the propagation tray, to prevent distortion or unlevel
support. The frame perimeter 6 may be of any four sided shape
having any desired length and width matching the requirements of
the item to be supported. The depth 8 of the stand is also
adaptable to accommodate the desired item to be supported.
[0045] In FIG. 1, the frame perimeter 6 is defined and described in
clockwise order by a first base frame 30A, a first side frame 40A,
a second base frame 30B and a second side frame 40B. At each corner
7A-D, a leg 90 extends down towards the ground where a wheel 100
maybe be conveniently engaged for the purposes of making the stand
1 mobile.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the first base frame 30A and
second base frames 30B are identical in construction, thereby
making for economical manufacture. For the manufacture of the
preferred embodiment, the base top tube 31 and base bottom tubes 32
are constructed of square metal tubing cut at the same length
matching the corresponding frame perimeter 6 shape and size. The
base top tube 31 and base bottom tube 32 are located parallel to
one another, at a distance between each matching the desired depth
8 of the stand 1. A base flat plate 34 is welded onto each of the
ends of the base top tube 31 and base bottom tube 32 such that a
tab 35 extends past the base bottom tube 32 at both of the bottom
tube's 32 ends. For the preferred embodiments shown, the base
receiver 33 is constructed from square tubing, and in length
matching half the length of the flat plate 34 not including the tab
35. The base receiver 33 is welded to each base flat plate 34 as
shown.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the first side frame 40A and
second side frame 40B are identical, and constructed in the same
manner as the first base frame 30A and second base frame 30B with
the only difference being the side flat plate 44 being shorter as
no tab extends past the side top tube 41 or side bottom tube
42.
[0048] In FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the preferred embodiment benefits
from the side receiver 43 being of the same length as the base
receiver 33, which allows for easier and more economical
manufacture as all of the receivers are of the same
construction.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 8, the four legs 90 have at
least one flat side 110 and a dowel 120 on one end. For mobile
applications a wheel 100 is engaged at the opposing leg 90 end from
the dowel 120. The dowel 120 is of sufficient size to fittingly
insert within the base receivers 33 and side receivers 43. As shown
in the preferred embodiment, the dowel 120 is constructed of round
tubing that is just small enough to fit within the base receivers
33 and side receivers 43. Tubing was used in the preferred
embodiment to keep the overall weight down, however, the dowel 120
may be of solid rod material, or schedule 40 pipe, all depending on
the application.
[0050] As shown assembled in FIG. 1, the dowel 120 does not extend
out of the side receiver 43, however, in other embodiments and
applications the dowel 120 is of greater length and extends out of
the receiver 43 providing mounting structure to facilitate the
addition of other items such as light racks, plant training web,
irrigation systems, covers, and other added features to increase
the versatility of the stand.
[0051] FIG. 3 shows a close up of the presented embodiment for the
first and second base frames 30A and 30B with the base receiver 33,
base flat plate 34 and tab 35. A base top tube 31 and base bottom
tube 32 fixate to the flat plate 34 by weld as shown, but any other
fixation means is sufficient.
[0052] FIG. 2 shows a close up of the presented embodiment for the
first and second side frames 40A and 40B, with the side receivers
43, side flat plates 44 and no tab. A side top tube 41 and a side
bottom tube 42 fixate to the flat plate 44 by weld as shown, but
any other fixation means is sufficient.
[0053] FIGS. 2 and 3 show exploded views of exemplary side 40A and
base 30A frames, where the side receivers 43 and base receivers 33
are shown mounted with the same orientation on either the upper
portion or lower portion of the side flat plates 44 or base flat
plates 34, respectively. For example, the side receivers 43 are
shown in FIG. 2 as being mounted on the lower portion of the side
flat plates 44 nearest the side bottom tube 42, in one embodiment,
but may be mounted on the upper portion of the side flat plates 44
nearest the side top tube 41 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. Similarly,
the base receivers 33 may be mounted on the lower portion of the
base flat plate 34 as shown in FIG. 3, or, in other embodiments,
mounted on the upper portion of the base flat plate 34 (not
shown).
[0054] In one embodiment (not shown), side receiver 43 may be
mounted on the lower portion of the side flat plate 44 on one end
of the side frame 40A, with the side receiver 43 on the other end
of the side frame 40A mounted on the upper portion of the side flat
plate 44, and base receiver 33 may be mounted on the lower portion
of the base flat plate 34 on one end of the base frame 30A, with
the base receiver 34 on the other end of base frame 30A mounted on
the upper portion of the base flat plate 34. In one embodiment (not
shown), both side and base frames are constructing as above, with
one receiver mounted nearest the top tube and the other receiver
mounted nearest the bottom tube, and the combination of two side
frames and two base frames may be assembled to form a tray stand
having an overall appearance as that shown in FIG. 4.
[0055] In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), both side
frames and base frames may be made to be identical, such as for
example substantially similar to the base frame 30A shown in FIG. 3
but having a receiver 33 at one end mounted on a lower portion of
the flate plate 34 and the other receiver 33 mounted on the
opposite end of the frame on an upper portion of the opposite end's
flate plate 34. With four identically constructed frames 30A,
according to one embodiment, a tray stand may be assembled having
the overall appearance as that shown in FIG. 4, the resulting tray
stand requiring even fewer unique components than the tray stand 1
shown in FIG. 1.
[0056] In various embodiments, the tab 35 shown in FIG. 3 may
comprise flat plate 34 material extending downward (for rotational
locking contact with leg 90) below the lower most surface of bottom
tube 32 (as shown, for example, in FIG. 6), or the tab 35 may
comprise a portion of flat plate 34 extending downward (for
rotational locking contact with leg 90) below the lower most edge
of receiver 33 but not necessarily extending below the lower most
surface of bottom tube 32.
[0057] FIG. 4 shows an assembled tray stand 1 comprised of the
components shown in FIG. 1, in preferred embodiments. The overall
shape of the frame perimeter 6 is preferably rectangular or square.
In embodiments not shown, the tray stand may comprise an extra pair
of corners such as 7B and 7C interconnecting the base frame 30B
with an additional pair of side frames 40A and 40B, the resulting
tray stand having six legs 90, base frames 30A and 30B, and two
side frames 40A and two side frames 40B. Similarly, in embodiments
not shown, the tray stand may comprise an extra pair of corners
such as 7C and 7D interconnecting the side frame 40B with an
additional pair of base frames 30A and 30B, the resulting tray
stand having six legs 90, side frames 40 and 40B, and two base
frames 30A and two base frames 30B. Likewise, in similar fashion as
described above for the addition of either another pair of side
frames (plus two additional legs) or another pair of base frames
(plus two additional legs), additional pairs of either side or base
frames (and corresponding legs) may be added, the resulting tray
stand comprising the basic components shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 but
having two extra legs, four extra legs, and so on.
[0058] FIG. 8 shows a close up exploded view of the leg 90 having
the flat side 110, and dowel 120. The leg 90 is able to accept
wheel, as wheels are not desirable in all applications, so having
the wheels easily detach is desired, and many wheel attachment and
detachment methods are well known in the art and therefore not
disclosed herein. In preferred embodiments, a lower portion of the
leg 90 comprises at least one flat surface 110 for rotational
locking contact and engagement with a lower portion of flat plate
34 or tab 35, depending upon the particular embodiment regarding
mounting of the receiver 33 to the flat plate 34. In one
embodiment, the lower portion of leg 90 comprises square or
rectangular tubing. In preferred embodiments, an upper portion of
the leg 90 comprises a dowel 120 which inerttingly and fixatedly
fits within the lower portion of the leg 90 so that insertion of
the dowel 120 portion into the receivers (such as receivers 33 and
43) allows longitudinal insertion of the dowel 120 into each
receiver with the lower portion of the leg 90 unable to insertingly
fit into at least one of the two receivers that comprise an
interlocking corner joint of the tray stand. In one embodiment, the
dowel 120 intertingly fits within the receiver 33, and the lower
portion 110 is unable to inertingly fit into the receiver 33, the
lower portion of the leg 90 thereby providing a stop and weight
bearing surfaces preventing further longitudinally downward travel
of the receivers along the leg 90.
[0059] In preferred embodiments, the dowel 120 comprises round
material or round tube stock as shown in FIG. 8 that is fixatingly
inserted (such as instered and welded or glued in place) into the
lower portion 110. The dowel 120 is preferably sized to insertingly
fit within receivers 33 and 43. In alternate embodiments, the dowel
120 may be differently shaped yet still insertingly fit (for easy
hand assembly and disassembly of a tray stand corner) into
receivers 33 and 43. For example, in one embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 14, a tray stand leg 1490 may comprise a dowel 1420 having a
diamond shape 1010. The diamond shape 1010 may be formed, for
example, by using press brake folded square stock tubing. The dowel
1420 having a diamond shape cross section is fixatingly inserted
into the lower leg portion 1430, with the lower leg portion 1430
having at least one flat surface for rotational locking engagement
with a lower portion of a flat plate 34 or tab 35. In various
embodiments, the tray stand in FIGS. 1 and 4 may utilize legs 1490
in place of legs 90.
[0060] FIG. 7 shows a close up view of the cross supports 10 and U
sleeve 20. These cross supports 10 may be constructed with
adjustability to enable different depths of plant trays to be used
as discussed earlier. Ideally, the U sleeve 20 is of shape and size
such that the base top tube 31, base bottom tube 32, side top tube
41 or side bottom tube 42 fittingly insert within the crux of the
"U" shape, thereby allowing fixation, without fasteners, screws, or
bolts. For applications to support great mass, or in the indoor
gardener setting, requiring significant water and growing media in
the tray or for deeper trays that simply hold more weight, cross
supports 10 having slip over U sleeve 20 provide under tray
support, while increasing strength, stability, and rigidity to the
entire tray stand as shown in FIG. 1 assembled.
[0061] One possible method of assembling the stand by a solo
assembly involves a first step, which is to align the dowel 120 of
each leg 90 shown in FIG. 8, with the base receivers 33 shown in
FIG. 3, and insert the dowel 120 first through the tab 35 end of
the base receivers 33 one at a time until all dowels 120 are fully
and fittingly inserted within the base receivers 33. Each dowel 120
should protrude out the other side of each base receiver 33 of each
tab 35 parallels in mating contact to a flat side 110 of each
leg.
[0062] The second step in a one person assembly is to locate the
now inserted legs 90 and the first and second base frames 30A and
30B parallel to one another, and spaced apart at a distance
approximately matching the length of the first side frame 40A and
second side frame 40B.
[0063] The third and final step in a one person assembly is to
position the first side frame 40A such that the exposed side flat
plate 44 end of the side receivers 43 are over and aligned with the
dowels 120 protruding from the first base frame 30A and the
corresponding end of second base frame 30B such that when the first
side frame 40A is brought down the exposed flat plate 44 comes to
rest against one side of the corresponding base receiver 33, and
the dowels 120 fittingly slide within the corresponding side
receivers 43 such that corners 7A and 7B are defined and three
sides of the perimeter frame 6 is defined as shown in FIG. 1. The
second side frame 40B is slid over the remaining protruding dowels
120 in the same manner as the first side frame 40A, thereby
completing the four sides and frame perimeter 6 and defining
corners 7C and 7D as shown assembled in FIG. 4. Disassembly is the
same except in reverse order.
[0064] Another method of assembly involves assembling the stand one
corner 7A-D at a time: First by inserting one end of the first leg
90 through one end of the first base frame 30A and then inserting
the same end of the first leg 90 through one end of the first side
frame 40A, locating the other end of the first leg towards the
ground, thereby forming a first corner 7A of the stand 1; Second,
by inserting one end of the second leg 90 through one end of the
second base frame 30B, and then inserting the same end of the
second leg 90 through the other end of the first side frame 40A,
locating the other end of the second leg 90 towards the ground
thereby forming a second corner 7B; Third, by inserting one end of
the third leg 90 through the other end of the first base frame 30A,
and then inserting the same end of the third leg through one end of
the second side frame 40B, locating the other end of the third leg
towards the ground thereby forming the third corner 7C; and Fourth,
inserting one end of the fourth leg 90 through the other end of the
second base frame 30B, and then inserting the same end of the
fourth leg 90 through the other end of the second side frame 40B,
locating the other end of the fourth leg towards the ground thereby
forming the fourth corner 7D. When all four legs have been inserted
as per steps above, the stand 1 will ready to receive plant tray,
table top, fish tank, or any other square or rectangular base
object.
[0065] Once assembled as shown in the preferred embodiment in FIGS.
1-8, each base flat plate 34 and side flat plate 44 parallels in
mating contact with a corresponding side of a base receiver 33 and
side receiver 43, whereby the first and second base frames 30A and
30B rigidly interlock with the first and second side frames 40A and
40B having the dowel 120 maintain the interlocking alignment and
rigidly engage the corresponding leg 90 at the corresponding
corners 7A-D. The weight of the components of the stand 1 provides
the constant force to maintain the interlock at the corners locking
the frame together once assembled as shown in FIG. 4. As weight is
added to the frame perimeter, or at optional cross supports 10, the
components deflect and distort minimally thereby tightening the
interlocking effect at the corners 7A-D, and increasing the
strength and rigidity of the stand 1. In short, the more weight
added, the stronger the interlock, and more stable the stand
becomes. Remove the weight, and the stand 1 easily knocks down into
it's modular components for quick and convenient storage or
transport.
[0066] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a modular
portable light hanger 900 as disassembled in an exploded view. In
preferred embodiments, the light hanger 900 comprises four corner
(or wall) poles 902, interconnected with four (ceiling) perimeter
poles 904 using press-fit type 3-way corner connectors 910, at
least one equipment/light hanger pole such as the equipment/light
hanger poles 906 and equipment/light hanger pole 908 having
equipment/light hanger connectors 912 at each end for tooless
interconnection with perimeter poles 904 (as shown), and four
hanger-to-tray stand corner transition adapters 1000 for toolessly
interconnecting each of the corner poles 902 with a corner joint of
the tray stand. Each of the poles 902, 904, 906, 908 preferably
comprise tubular metal, but may comprise other materials and
shapes, such as square or rectangular material. And each of the
3-way connectors 910 and hanger connectors 912 preferably comprise
plastic connectors substantially as shown and sized to snugly and
securely receive and interconnect the poles 902, 904, 906, and 908,
as shown in FIG. 12. In preferred embodiments, the light hanger 900
comprises eleven poles, each substantially identical in diameter
and length and interchangeable with one another so that a pole used
as a corner pole 902 may be repurposed as a perimeter pole 904 or
hanger pole 906 or 908. Preferably the corner connectors 910 and
hanger pole end connectors 912 fit over the ends of any pole. In
other embodiments, not shown, poles of varying lengths may be used.
For example, the four corner poles 902 may be of different length
than the perimeter poles 904 and hanger poles 906 and 908. And for
example, the perimeter poles 904 (and corresponding hanger poles
906 and 908) may be of different lengths from one another if the
base and side frames comprising the perimeter 6 of the tray stand 1
form a rectangle instead of a square.
[0067] In preferred embodiments, each of the poles 902, 904, 906,
and 908 comprising the light hanger 900 comprise pole members
having the same cross-sectional dimensions. Preferably, each of the
corner and perimeter poles share a common cross-sectional
diameter.
[0068] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hanger-to-tray stand
corner transition (or adapter) 1000, in one embodiment. The
hanger-to-tray stand adapter 1000 preferably comprises a unitary
component having a corner (wall) pole engaging receiver 1020 sized
to receive an end of a corner pole 902. The corner pole engaging
receiver 1020 is fixably mounted to a corner transition overhang
portion 1030, upon which first 1040 and second 1050 corner
transition tray stand outer engagement surfaces extend in a
downward direction, parallel to and engaging with a tray stand leg
90, opposite to the direction that the corner pole engaging
receiver 1020 extends, the corner pole engaging receiver 1020
extending upward and parallel with a corresponding inserted corner
pole 902. Also preferably extending parallel to the first 1040 and
second 1050 corner transition tray stand outer engagement surfaces,
is a diamond shaped dowel 1010, sized and shaped to insertingly
fixate within an open top of a tray stand receiver such as side
frame receiver 43.
[0069] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a hanger-to-tray stand corner
transition 1000, in one embodiment. The diamond shaped dowel 1010
is preferably sized and oriented with respect to the first corner
transition tray stand outer engagement surface 1040 and the second
corner transition tray stand outer engagement surface 1050 so as to
provide a space at least as large as the material thickness of the
tray stand receiver, such as side receiver 43. The diamond shaped
dowel 1010 is preferably sized so that each point (or corner) of
its star/diamond cross sectional shape snugly fits within an inside
corner of square tube stock comprising each tray stand receiver
43.
[0070] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a modular portable light
hanger 900 as assembled and combined with a modular tray stand 1,
according to various embodiments. The light hanger components shown
in FIG. 9 are most preferably assembled (and disassembled) by hand
and without any tools or fasteners or hardware, and are likewise
preferably assembled (and disassembled) by hand and without any
tools or hardware to a tray stand 1 with four adapters 1000
providing the interconnection between the light hanger 900 and the
tray stand 1.
[0071] FIG. 13 is a perspective partial view of a hanger-to-tray
stand corner transition 1000 as combined with a light hanger corner
pole 902 and perimeter members 6 and leg 90 of a tray stand 1,
according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 13, the
transition (adapter) 1000 comprises a substantially flat overhang
member upon which a corner pole engaging receiver 1020 extends
upward and from which corner transition tray stand outer engagement
surfaces 1040 and 1050 and corner transition dowel 1010 extend
downward. The adapter 1000 preferably comprises overhang material
1310 that is substantially coplanar (within a material thickness of
the overhang material) to the upper most surfaces of (and plane
formed by) the tray stand perimeter 6. In preferred embodiments,
the adapter 1000 comprises a receiver 1020 sized to receive a round
tube light hanger corner pole 902, flat overhang material 1320
whereby the receiver 1020 is oriented so as not to cover the
perimeter 6 or corner of the tray stand 1, and tray stand receiver
engaging material such as the engaging surfaces 1040 and 1050 and
dowel 1010. The receiver engaging material 1040 and 1050 may
comprise surfaces that extend further downward for contact
engagement with larger surface areas of the tray stand receiver
than shown. The flat overhang material 1310 may, in some
embodiments, extend across the top surface of tray stand perimeter
6 more than shown. In most preferred embodiments, the flat overhang
material 1310 of the transition/adapter 1000 orients the receiver
1020 so that the edges of a plant growing tray may overlap the
perimeter 6 of the tray stand and allow enough space for the
transition/adapter 1000 to receive and interconnect with corner
poles 902 for hand/tooless assembly and disassembly of a light
hanger 900 in combination with a tray stand, substantially as shown
in FIG. 12.
[0072] The terms and expressions which have been employed in the
foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description
and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such
terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features
shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that
the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the
claims which follow.
* * * * *